HISTORY OF WIVENHOE BOWLS CLUB
Early years timeline
1926
“Fernbank” Wivenhoe Bowls Club was founded by 20 members of the Colne Social Club in Park Road. The first games were played on a nearby rink on land at the back of “Fernbank” in the High street, the home of the Chairman of Wivenhoe Urban District Council, Mr H Hook.
Captain W.H. Ham was the first Chairman and President.
1927
There were 26 playing members. Subs were set at 10/6p. Play on the green commenced at 1pm on Saturdays and Thursdays and 5pm on other days. Play was allowed all day on holidays. A challenge was accepted for an 8 a side match against Rowhedge. The game was played on Saturday 2nd July 1927
1928
“Fernbank” Wivenhoe Bowls Club became affiliated to the Tendring Hundred and District Bowling Association (formed in 1923).
October 1928 saw the name of the club become Wivenhoe Bowls Club with the address becoming “Fernbank” Wivenhoe by kind permission of Mr H Hook
1929
A rule was proposed at the General meeting of April 1929 that “No wood outside 3ft from the jack shall count” Its not known if this was passed.
1933
On the 20th of April Mr Hook offered to sell the green to the club for £100. The approximate size was 96ft frontage to Park Road with a depth of 111ft. The committee at this time considered the length was insufficient to suit their requirements but thanked Mr Hook for his offer.
June that same year saw the first discussion take place over an offer for a new green at “Ten Acres” which was owned by Mr Stacey Wood. The piece of land was offered with a ten year lease at a peppercorn rent. An estimate to lay a new green 126ft x 84ft was accepted from Mr Allston of West Bergholt for a cost of £94 12 shillings and 6 pence. Mr Stacey Woods offer was accepted on the 11th of September.
Thanks was given to Mr & Mrs Hook for the use of “Fernbank” bowling green in the form of an illuminated testimonial signed by all members and presented to Mr Hook at the Annual dinner
Annual subs were raised to 15 shillings
1934
The new ground opened with four rinks although bowling at that time was in only one direction. A pavilion was built insured by the British Oak Insurance Company and a wrought iron gate was supplied by Mr F.W. Smith to commemorate the opening of the club grounds on May 3rd.
1938
Wivenhoe bowls club joined the Essex Bowling Association. A proposal for a Ladies section was deferred
Click for video’s of The story of bowls parts one and two
The History of Wivenhoe Bowls Club Roll of Honours
Premier League winners
1939, 1973, 1986, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2014
Maurice Stanford Memorial Cup winners
1984, 1998, 2000, 2008, 2014
The Stanford League winners
2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014
Windsor League Triples winners
1986, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2021
The Triples Championship (Sheldrake Jubilee Cup 1973) winners
1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2010
Tendring Hundred League Team K.O. Winners
1985, 1990, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2017
Tendring Hundred League K.O. Plate Winners
2006, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2019
